Lamentations 3:22-24 – Tell Me the Story

He is Risen!

After being isolated for a year during COVID, we returned to church this morning. It was wonderful. We didn’t return to these church ruins but to our own church. I was struck by the beauty even in the outer structure of this old church. I don’t know where it is, but I thought it was beautiful enough to share with you.

We celebrated the Prince of Peace in our worship service this morning. That’s good news for a sin-sick world. I prayed God would shine His light into the darkness because He promised the darkness would not overcome His light. What an amazing hope!

Our God is faithful to keep His promises, to show up every day in your life, to comfort, counsel and strengthen the weary pilgrim traveling this earth on his way to heaven. Like the mana that fed the Israelites every day in the wilderness, God’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!

THINK ABOUT IT

I hope you will follow the link above to the website, “To Live is Christ.” The verse for today is Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Read the message. View the movie clip. Listen to the song. Be blessed.

PRAY ABOUT IT

O Lord our God, thank you for your faithfulness. Your mercies and compassions are new every morning. Teach us to respond by sharing your love with others today and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings Without End

Silhouette illustration of the ascension of Jesus Christ

After the crucifixion and resurrection, more than 500 people witnessed the resurrected Messiah.

Jesus explained to His disciples that everything in the Scriptures was fulfilled in Him. He opened their minds, and they understood. “But stay here in the city (Jerusalem) until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven” (Luke 24:49).

“Then He led them to Bethany, and lifting up his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven” (Luke 24:50-51). Jesus’ act of blessing has never stopped. He still blesses with unstoppable blessings. “You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence” (Psalms 21:6).

THINK ABOUT IT

God blessed Israel in the wilderness by giving them mana every day, and He warned them not to take more than the allotted amount. Many didn’t trust Him and gathered more. The extra they gathered rotted and maggots covered it. While Jesus was on earth, He fulfilled Scripture. He was Faithful and True. He was compassionate and just. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

PRAY ABOUT IT

Thank you, Lord, for your great love for us. Thank you for new mercies that come down from heaven every day. Help us to be aware of your presence and the daily blessings you provide. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Come as You Are

Have you ever attended a “come as you are party?” Many years ago friends woke me up early in the morning. It was during the days when I wore curlers in my hair to bed. Friends drove a bunch of us girls in our pajamas and curlers to a downtown Oklahoma City restaurant on the 9th floor. However, the elevator stopped on the way up, and we got stuck between floors for two hours. Can you imagine how embarrassed we were when we got off the elevator?

Aside from silly parties and jokes, we live in tough times. People have experienced loss of homes, jobs, health, wealth, loved ones, and more. People are depressed and lonely. You may be one who is out of work, but you still have bills and your family needs shelter and food. The despair can make you feel as if God has forgotten you. He has not. You may think that you have to get your life in order before you could even cry out to Him in your need. Be encouraged! Come as you are.

I have been in despair and I cried out to God. I know He heard me, because I began to feel amazingly loved, even before things got better. I began to read the Bible, and these words comforted me: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

THINK ABOUT IT

I was a single mom, and I didn’t know how I would pay bills or feed my kids. I didn’t know what it meant to be yoked with Jesus. Two oxen are yoked together to make their work (burden) easier. Jesus said He was gentle and humble and I would find rest for my soul. He said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Imagine partnering with God. I began to surrender to Jesus in the midst of my problems. I didn’t think I had time to devote to Him, but I got up 15 minutes early so I would have time to read the Bible and pray. Later I got up 30 minutes early. I began to linger in God’s presence in the morning, and I discovered that my days got easier. My problems didn’t go away, but I had a real Friend and Partner to walk with me through hard times.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

PRAY ABOUT IT

Holy Father, we surrender our despair and loneliness to you. Thank you for your amazing love and compassion. Help us to seek you in the morning to find strength to face the day. Thank you that you never sleep or slumber. You are always available whether in the dark of night or the light of day. Be with us even now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.